Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Shanghai is no stranger to breathtaking engineering exploits.
In the latest example, a historic Shanghai building moved by robots captures world attention. The relocation of completeAn Shikuma -style building weighing around 7,500 metric tonnes (around 8,267 American tonnes) and covers around 43,400 square feet, really rewrites the rules.
This ambitious project is propelled by an army of 432 small robots which move the massive structure of around 33 feet per day to make room for a new underground development. Diving into the way it happens, why it matters and what it means for the future of urban conservation.
Register for my free cyberguy report
Get my best technological advice, my urgent safety alerts and my exclusive offers delivered directly in your reception box. In addition, you will get instant access to my survival guide at the ultimate – free scam when you register.
The robots enter the ring for a very first boxing game
The Huayanli complex is a set of three brick and wooden buildings built between the 1920s and 1930s. Located in the heart of the historic region of Zhangyuan in Shanghai, these structures are classic examples of Shikumen architecture, which is a unique mix of Western and Chinese design. Zhangyuan is over 140 years old and is one of the largest and best-preserved largest shikumamen districts.
Delivery robot raises and carries autonomized heavy cargoes
Relocation is not only for the show. The city builds an underground center of three floors under the complex which will include more than 570,000 square feet of cultural and commercial space, a parking lot with more than 100 spaces and a transport center which will link three main lines of metro. By preserving the Huayanli historical complex above the ground while adding modern infrastructure below, Shanghai finds an intelligent balance between honoring his heritage and embracing progress.
Building-in-A-Box turns into a small portable house in a few minutes
The displacement of a building of this size is sufficiently difficult, but the challenge is multiplied by the dense network of Zhangyuan from narrow alleys and closely packaged historic buildings. Traditional resettlement methods would simply not be suitable. The historical importance of the region also means that any error could damage the irreplaceable architecture, including the “large room” of 1928 which once housed a patriotic night school.
The solar energy roof envelops a new modern mega opera
Instead of using cranes or bulldozers, the engineers put 432 small walking robots at work. These robots gently lift the building and slowly move forward, thumb by inch, covering about 33 feet a day. To reach this incredible level of precision, the project is based on several advanced technologies. Special low -debit drilling robots, which can be used remotely, sail on corridors and tight doors to create new foundations under the historical structure.
Earth motion robots Equipped with folding mechanical arms, just under four feet wide, use artificial intelligence to differentiate between clay and solid obstacles. Engineers also use the modeling of building information and the digitization of points clouds to create very detailed 3D plans. These digital models help the team plan exact motion routes, avoid potential collisions and design curved paths to remove the soil.
To maintain the effective construction site and minimize the disturbances, the floor is carried out using a treadmill system, much like a mounting chain. This decision is only temporary. Once the underground construction is completed, the Huayanli complex will be carefully returned to its original place, fully restored and preserved, now seated at the top of a modern underground installation.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 offers
Once the project is finished, the renewed zhangyuan will mix its above -ground historical charm with advanced underground equipment. The area will connect to skyscrapers, shopping centers and nearby neighborhoods, creating a dynamic and accessible urban space that honors its past while kissing the future.
It is not every day that a whole historical building is made to cross a city block, but the Huayanli project in Shanghai shows that with good technology and a little imagination, even the oldest districts can be part of the urban landscape of tomorrow. This combination of preservation and innovation offers a fascinating overview of the way cities can grow without losing their soul. Who would have thought that robots could become the unknown heroes of heritage?
If robots can move whole historical districts to make way for modern development, how far should we go to reshape our cities and what parts of our past deserve to preserve? Let us know by writing to Cyberguy.com/contact
For more of my technical advice and my security alerts, subscribe to my free Cyberguy Report newsletter by going to Cyberguy.com/newsletter
Ask Kurt or let us know what stories you would like us to cover
Follow Kurt on his social channels
Answers to the most posed Cyberguy questions:
Kurt new:
Copyright 2025 cyberguy.com. All rights reserved.
